Addressing the Friday congregation at Jamia Masjid Srinagar, Mirwaiz-e-Kashmir and All Parties Hurriyat Conference Chairman, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, strongly condemned the recent killing of five Muslim youth in police firing during the controversial survey of the Shahi Jama Masjid in Sambhal, Uttar Pradesh.
“The discriminatory police action leading to the killing of these youth is distressing and condemnable,” Mirwaiz said. He also highlighted the pattern of judicial orders for surveys of historic Muslim sites, including Rajasthan’s Ajmer Sharif Dargah and the Gyanvapi Mosque in Varanasi, adding, “There seems to be a deliberate pattern where doubts are first raised, courts then order surveys, and majority claims must be satisfied.”
Referring to the 800-year-old Ajmer Sharif Dargah, Mirwaiz emphasized its cultural and spiritual importance to Muslims worldwide, including Kashmiris who view it as a pilgrimage site. He linked the developments to the Babri Masjid demolition and court rulings that followed, expressing deep concern over the trend.
Mirwaiz questioned India’s secular credentials under its constitution and the Places of Worship Act, stating, “If India is a secular state, why are such issues continuously raked up and entertained? People know the answer, but this is a dangerous trend with serious consequences.”
The Mirwaiz also raised concerns about the Waqf Amendment Bill, which has unsettled Muslims in India and Jammu and Kashmir. He revealed that the Muttahida Majlis-e-Ulema (MMU) has sent a letter to the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) seeking a meeting on the matter.
He warned that if the “assaults” on religious sites and practices persist, any backlash from the public would be the authorities’ responsibility.
The Mirwaiz further criticized police restrictions preventing media from entering the mosque to cover his speech. “Restricting the press undermines the public’s right to know and the media’s role in reporting matters of public concern,” he said, urging authorities to allow free media access.
